Edwardsville Tigers baseball loaded with talent once again, ranked second in state

The goals never change for the highly successful Edwardsville Tigers baseball program.

Southwestern Conference title. Playoff success. State tournament trip.

Rare is the year where the Tigers don’t challenge for at least two, if not all three of those goals — and 2016 should not be any different.

Coach Tim Funkhouser’s club is as deep and talented as any in recent memory and the Tigers, coming off a 35-2 season that saw them lose to O’Fallon in the sectional, are ranked second in the state by Illinois PrepBaseballReport.com.

The Tigers are getting this kind of attention despite graduating six seniors who were all first-team selections on the News-Democrat Large-School All-Area Team. Metro-east coaches voted them first in the News-Democrat Preseason 3A-4A Rankings.

Waterloo slugger Jordan McFarland leads potentially strong Bulldogs.

“I think last year we had a lot of depth and we might even have more this year, especially on the mound,” said Funkhkouse, whose team pummeled Moline, Greenville and Civic Memorial in its first three games by a 37-0 score with a pitching staff that allowed only three hits in 15 scoreless innings while striking out 21.

In 17 seasons under Funkhouser, the Tigers are 519-132 with eight trips to state , 12 regional and seven sectional titles, 10 30-win seasons and eight Southwestern Conference titles.

Edwardsville and Southwestern Conference rival O’Fallon are both headed to the Rawlings Select Classic in Emerson, Ga. this weekend. Both teams will play four games against national-level teams at the Perfect Game USA complex.

Season outlook

Hard-throwing senior right-hander and Oklahoma State recruit Trey Riley (5-1, 2.31 ERA) leads a pitching staff so deep the Tigers could leave a few at home on occasion and still have an overflow of mount talent.

“He has a live fastball and is pitching 88-89 (mph) and has topped out at 92,” Funkhouser said. “He’s got a good slider, too and I’m really impressed with how he’s competing each day.”

There’s also senior third-baseman pitcher and University of Mobile recruit Jake Garella, who hit .366 with nine doubles, one homer and 26 RBIs while also crafting a a 5-1 record on the mound with a 1.89 ERA. Funkhouser said he’s added velocity and made himself a better hitter.

Garrella’s 6-for-7 start at the plate with five RBIs is living proof.

Senior left-hander Tyler Hosto (3-0, 0.38 ERA) returns along with 6-foot-4 junior pitcher Austin Ruesch. Junior pitcher and talented basketball guard Mark Smith already has a scholarship to Missouri despite never throwing a varsity pitch for the Tigers.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he progresses this year,” Funkhouser said of Smith, whose baseball season was delayed a bit by the basketball playoffs. “He’s a very projectable player, an athletic right-hander with a strong arm.”

Also in the mix are Andrew Franks, Andrew Yancik, senior Jordan Yenne and reliever Daniel Picchiotti and Max Kieffer.

Loads of offensive potential

Several top-level hitters return, including Garella, senior center fielder and John A. Logan College recruit Collin Clayton (.389, two homers, 29 RBIs), outfielder Dylan Burris (.328, 19 RBIs), catchers Joe Wallace (.289, six RBIs) and Daniel Reed.

Clayton, also listed as a shortstop, will hit third with Garella in the cleanup spot.

Senior Cole Hansel will be at first with a potential big bat at second base in Joe Quirin. Garella may also see time at first.

Juniors Kade Burns and Yancik are the top shortstop candidates with Garella, Riley and senior Tyler Stamer working at third depending on who is pitching. Stamer hit .500 (7-for-14) with two RBis in limited action a year ago.

Riley is another potential offensive source.

“He’s got a lot of power and he’s very athletic and explosive,” Funkhouser said. “He’s already had a fair amount of success, but he’s got great baseball instincts. He’s going to be great asset for us not only on the mound but also at the plate offensively.”

Senior outfielder Cole Cimarolli has committed to Quincy University while Smith could also see time in the outfield along with Burris, a left-handed bat with speed.

Among the key losses were All-Area shortstop Jordan Hovey, now at Missouri State, and pitcher Daniel Lloyd (Parkland Community College).

Late at night, Funkhouser unwinds from baseball coaching to check out what the numerous former Edwardsville players are doing on the collegiate level. There were four former Tigers starting recently when Missouri State played Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“When I get some down time at night I’ll scroll through the internet and track those guys,” Funkhouser said. “Our players here like to follow that too and like when those guys come back to visit.”

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Edwardsville Tigers baseball loaded with talent once again, ranked second in state."